Finally, the real uncorking of the migration bottleneck has commenced!
It was only a matter of time, really. Last night the conditions along the entire east coast were favorable for migration, with winds either light and variable, or with a light southerly component (more southeasterly in the southern half of the country, turning to more due south over the mid-Atlantic). High pressure meant that skies were relatively clear over most of the region, suggesting that birds had a stable atmosphere within which to navigate. Here are the images from sunset last night, through 5:00am this morning. note that a significant portion of the migration cloud still appears to be moving at 5:00am.
Frames are every 1/2 hour. Click on the thumbnail to view the full-sized animation.
Well, after two nights of migration situated well to our west and south, we finally got a burst of what is likely a nice mix of diversity. While yesterday’s smoke-and-mirrors was intended to be an April Fools prank, New Jersey did see an influx of larger, more robust fliers throughout the day (herons and ibis, cormorants and red-throated loons). Those birds will tend to move on less than perfect winds, because they can. Small landbirds, on the other hand, tend to wait for more favorable conditions, such as the ones we saw last night.
As far as concentrations of birds, since no significant weather was present to bring birds down, or push them towards the coast, this is going to be a classic spring flight. Therefore, the best chances for high concentrations will be known spring migration traps: the Delaware Bay shore in the south, especially near the mouth of the Delaware River, concentration points along interior ridges, especially Garret Mountain, and while not perfect conditions for Sandy Hook (the buoy is already registering a easterly sea breeze), there was enough going over The Hook last night that it’ll be worth the visit if you’re in the area. Overshoots are not uncommon at The Hook this time of year, and last night had the potential to produce some.
Alright, now it’s time to go find some birds AND report back about what we’re seeing. You DO remember that there is a comment section on this blog, right?
Good Birding
David
6 responses to “Heavy migration up the Eastern Flyway”
Not much change here at my local patch on Pt. Judith, Rhode Island this morning. An Ipswich Savannah Sparrow was new. Waterbirds were heading north.
I was watching this too last night, with great expectations. This a.m. I was out birding around the cabin (southern PA) hoping to see something new. Nada. So far. Maybe tonight. Still, thanks for the update and I know the good things will show up for this weekend, at least.
Carolyn H
a small flux of migrants at Hutcheson Memorial Forest in Somerset. Mainly short distance species…a large number of Chipping Sparrows…but the first Kinglets appeared today as well. Mostly Golden-crowns with a few Rubies mixed in.
All very interesting! Wow, Brian- those RCKIs shot over us, or circumnavigated Cape May, because we had a good flight of Golden-crowned Kinglets, N Flickers (~50 coming over the water from DE) and E Phoebes around Higbee’s. Waterbirds in good numbers were DC Cormorants, all three scoters (only 4 WW, though) RT Loons, and N Gannets. We also had two E. Palm Warblers, but no Ruby-crowned Kinglets!
migration is cool
Yesterday (4/2) the first Pine Warblers of the season appeared in southern New York and Connecticut (all four I encountered were singing). They weren’t there the day before…
Also some Palms reported, but none that I saw.
On 4/2, here in north-eastern Pennsylvania, I had my first Pine Warblers of the year, as well as several more Yellow-rumped Warblers than in previous days. Also large numbers of American Robins showed up overnight.